MINUTES
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH
Monday, June 3, 2002
3:00 P.M.
PRESENT: M. Kaplowitz (Chair); U. LaMotte; J. Maisano; V. Pinto; M. Rogowsky; W. Ryan.
BOL & STAFF: T. Bernard; C. Ryer (Sec’y.).
ALSO PRESENT: Marion Rose (CWCWC); Suzannah Glidden (Hands Across the Border & CWCWC); Richard San Riley-Clendenen, Bill Randolph (CE’s Ofc.).
DISCUSSION:
Chair Kaplowitz opened the meeting at 3:15 p.m., with a review and update of the upcoming meetings calendar (last page of E&H Agenda). Please note that there will be NO E&H MEETING scheduled on the following dates: July 1st, 22nd & 29th; August 19th & 26th; and September 2nd & 16th, to accommodate summer and vacation schedules.
Next, Chair introduced Suzannah Glidden to discuss the water quality at Peach Lake, a Watershed Community located in North Salem. For the past three years, the Peach Lake Environmental Committee (PLEC) has been engaged in a water quality improvement program and is in need of a feasibility study. PLEC has prepared a Request for Proposal (RFP) to assist in this effort, and is requesting that Westchester County fund a portion of the study, which is estimated at $150,000. Ms. Glidden noted that Town Supervisor, Sy Globerman has made a request to the County Executive for the County to fund $75,000 toward this feasibility study. It was also noted that since Peach Lake lies in both Putnam and Westchester Counties, Putnam is willing to contribute its approximate $75,000 for the northern half of the study from its East of Hudson Water Quality Investment Funds (EOH WQIF) if Westchester contributes an equal amount.
MINUTES
Chair Kaplowitz noted that a source of funding must be in place before an RFP bid can take place. Ms. Glidden expressed that since Westchester County has already spent $450,000 on diversion studies, PLEC would be hopeful that the request would be granted. Ms. Glidden also emphasized that the study will take months, possibly up to one year to perform, and is much needed. With reference to Supervisor Globerman’s correspondence, Legislator LaMotte asked if the County Executive responded and was informed that Mr. Globerman’s request was forward to Commissioner Joyce Lannert in the Planning Department.
Chair Kaplowitz questioned if Peach Lake is a source of drinking water and was informed that it is a source of New York City’s drinking water and is a part of the Croton Watershed supply.
Marion Rose thanked Chair Kaplowitz and the entire Committee for their openness and commitment, and stated that she would like to have a complete SEQRA process performed with regard to this study. Ms. Glidden added that she was informed, as per County Executive Spano, that all such related information and matters should be directed to Commissioner Joyce Lannert.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 3:52 p.m., on the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Rogowsky.